mac antiqued eyeshadow

MAC Eyeshadow Swatches – Burgundy & Brown

I’m trying to get these up sooner rather than later so that I can be sure to include permanent MAC dupes when and where possible, as it’s the most requested brand when someone is looking for a dupe. MAC Eyeshadows ($14.50 for 0.05 oz.) are so numerous, and the amount of browns and neutrals the brand has is insane.

Sketch is a dark burgundy brown with a velvet finish.Deep Damson is a dark burgundy brown with red undertones and a matte finish. It’s slightly richer in color with a stronger red undertone than Sketch, but ultimately, it’s a much better formula to work with. This is a PRO shade.Star Violet is a frosted, medium-dark burgundy brown with a veluxe pearl finish.Embark is a rich, intense brown with a red undertone. It has a matte finish.Shale is a dirty plum-gray with a satin finish (though it feels more like a frost or veluxe pearl than it does a satin–the sheen is too frosted).Brown Down is a dark, chocolate brown with subtle warm undertones and a veluxe finish. It has this grayish cast to it that makes it not quite your typical brown.Twinks is a medium-dark, golden brown with bronzed shimmer. It has a veluxe pearl finish. MAC describes it as a deep plum with pearl, but it’s very brown on me–at most, a hint of plum.Sable is a medium-dark, bronzy brown with a tinge of plum. It’s very similar in color to Twinks, but their finishes make them look different.Antiqued is a rich, coppery brown with a veluxe pearl finish.Swiss Chocolate is a warm, medium-dark brown with a matte finish.Brown Script is a warm, red-toned, medium brown with a Matte2 finish.Texture is a warmed-up, light-medium brown with a yellowness and a velvet finish. It is a bit like Inglot #357.

A lot of the shades featured in this post are really lovely to work with. Sketch is the only so-so shade; it can be temperamental and not always blend out with ease, which makes Deep Damson a much better choice if one has access to a PRO store/willingness to purchase via phone. Shale is a shade that often looks just a bit different, because skin tone often shifts it to gray, plum, mauve, or even brown. I’m a big fan of Twinks, Sable, Antiqued, and Brown Script–all rich and smooth formulas.

Summer Makeup: The Setting Sun

If you’ve been a long-time reader, you’ve probably gotten the hint that I love me some sunset-ish colors and looks. I can’t help it! I gravitate towards them. Golds got a hold on me! I think I’m going to do a green look next. Like totally freakin’ green. I try to give greens a rest, since I also have a thing for green, but I think I am due for something green.

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Goldmine eyeshadow on the entire lid. Lightly blend Cranberry eyeshadow on the inner crease with the 217. Next, apply Amber Lights eyeshadow on the outer third of the lid with the 239. Define the crease with Antiqued eyeshadow and the 226. Blend Orb eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Lucky liner on the lower lash line and then pat Goldmine eyeshadow beneath. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Margin blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116, then lightly pat Amber Diamond skinshimmer on the cheekbones to highlight.

For lips, apply Funbathing lipstick first, and then layer Easy Lounger lipglass for a complementing lip.

FOR EYES, try Sand & Sun eyeshadow on the inner third of the lid, Firecracker eyeshadow on the middle of the lid, Amber Lights eyeshadow on the outer lid, and Antiqued eyeshadow in the crease. FOR CHEEKS & LIPS, try Hipness blush on cheeks and Beachbound lipstick paired with Flurry of Fun lipglass on lips.

Dark Neutrals: Smoky Brown Eyes

This is probably my last look dedicated to MAC’s Warm & Cozy Collection. I’m pretty sure my next look is going to use some *color* as the past few have all been fairly neutral, given the theme of Warm & Cozy. I’ve never been a huge fan of using super dark bases overall, just because I’ve always found they have a tendency to eat color and not enhance it as much as lighter bases can do. Relaxed seemed to work best when layered with shimmery eyeshadows, rather than softer, more satiny shades.

Directions: Start by applying Relaxed shadestick as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. Using the 239, apply Modelette eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Mulled Cider eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Coppering eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Next, define the crease by applying Antiqued eyeshadow with the 226. To add more depth, tap and lightly blend in Embark eyeshadow in the crease with the 219. Lightly tap and brush Modelette eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Chamomile eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Feline kohl power on the lower waterline and Goldmine eyeshadow on the lower lash line, and then sweeping lashes with DiorShow Extase mascara.

For cheeks, apply Imprevu blush to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116. To highlight, apply Empreinte de Chanel lightly over the cheekbones with the 165.

For lips, apply Warm Me Up lipstick first, and then layer Feelin’ Dreamy lipglass for a lighter lip.

Build a Quad: “Sunset Style”

There’s one look that I do often, even if the shades themselves are interchangeable, and it’s what I’d call a “sunset eye.” Like it sounds, it includes the colors you might see in a sunset: bright yellows, fiery oranges, coppers, and reds.

A few looks I’ve done that can be replicated with these shades…

Build a Quad is a feature focusing on creating different eyeshadow palettes that are both beautiful and functional using permanent shades of eyeshadow. We invite readers to suggest their own build-a-quads — just leave your ideas in the comments! Don’t forget to name your quad!